Systems and methods for managing power consumption in a wireless network

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for managing power consumption in a wireless network. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method for wireless communications of isochronous data. A transmission of isochronous data is received using an electronic device having a battery. The method determines how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device within a predetermined time frame while limiting discharge of the battery, and adjusts reception of the redundant transmissions based on the determination. In various embodiments, a reduction in received redundant transmissions preserves energy and prevents complete discharge of the battery.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/931,294, filed Jan. 24, 2014, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to wireless communication and moreparticularly to systems and methods for managing power consumption in awireless network.

BACKGROUND

Mobile communication devices include a battery to provide power forinternal wireless communication electronics, such as processors,transceivers and antennae. Typical mobile device batteries, such as zincair batteries, have limited capacity both for peak and average currentconsumption. Various battery chemistries can be starved of energy duringpeak consumption periods, but can recover during rest periods.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved systems and methodsto prevent batteries from overuse during wireless communication.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods formanaging power consumption in a wireless network. One aspect of thepresent subject matter includes a method for wireless communications ofisochronous data. A transmission of isochronous data is received usingan electronic device having a battery. The method determines how manyredundant transmissions can be received by the device within apredetermined time frame while limiting discharge of the battery, andadjusts reception of the redundant transmissions based on thedetermination. In various embodiments, a reduction in received redundanttransmissions preserves energy and prevents complete discharge of thebattery.

This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the presentapplication and not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatmentof the present subject matter. Further details about the present subjectmatter are found in the detailed description and appended claims. Thescope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims andtheir legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an interface between two communication devices,according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a communication device of FIG. 1,according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for managing powerconsumption in a wireless network, according to various embodiments ofthe present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the present subject matter refersto subject matter in the accompanying drawings which show, by way ofillustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the presentsubject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice thepresent subject matter. References to “an”, “one”, or “various”embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the sameembodiment, and such references contemplate more than one embodiment.The following detailed description is demonstrative and not to be takenin a limiting sense. The scope of the present subject matter is definedby the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalentsto which such claims are entitled.

Modern portable wireless communication equipment employs radiocommunications for various uses, some of which include the transmissionof isochronous data such as audio and video data. Such communicationutilizes highly reliable data networks capable of low packet and biterror rates. These forms of digital information use low latency deliveryto ensure timely rendering of the information. To ensure high qualitydelivery of wireless data, a wireless host device employs techniquessuch as retransmissions based on an acknowledgement scheme, or relies onunconditional retransmissions for the purpose of lowering packet errorrate. The wireless host can be the source of the audio or videoinformation. Other forms of isochronous information such as timesensitive data can also employ such techniques.

Portable electronic devices such as headsets, hearing aids, head worndisplays and the like employ small batteries with limited capacity. Somehearing assistance devices use very limited capacity batteries. Hearingaids in particular are extremely small and may be worn on the ear,behind the ear or in some cases in the ear.

The present detailed description will discuss hearing assistance devicesusing the example of hearing aids. Hearing aids are only one type ofhearing assistance device. Other hearing assistance devices include, butare not limited to, those in this document. It is understood that theiruse in the description is intended to demonstrate the present subjectmatter, but not in a limited or exclusive or exhaustive sense.

In various embodiments, portable electronics devices (such as hearingaids) employ both rechargeable and non-rechargeable battery types.Chemical batteries have limited capacity for both peak and averagecurrent consumption. Zinc air batteries in particular rely on oxygenremoved from surrounding air to supply the chemical reaction thatgenerates electricity used to power devices such as hearing aids. Whenpeak current is drawn from this type of battery, the battery can becomestarved of oxygen which lowers the output voltage of the cell. Thebattery will recover if the peak current load is temporarily removed.This is the case when using wireless radios for packet typecommunication such as Bluetooth or WiFi, as an example. When the datarate over the air data is higher than the baseband consumption of data,the radio can be duty cycled. During “on” times of the radio, largeamounts of data can be transferred over the air from a source device toa sync device. During “off” times, the radio can go into a very lowpower state, while the data that was transferred can be consumed by thebaseband process. It is during these periods of rest that the batteryvoltage can be restored. During the high current state, such as when theradio is “on” to receive or transmit a packet, the chemical battery canbe temporarily depleted. In the case of a zinc air battery, during thistime the battery becomes starved of oxygen.

A wireless system can improve its effective packet error rate byresending the packets based on non-acknowledgments from the sink devicesor by unconditionally resending of packets. These redundant packets canbe sent on different frequencies and or at different times for thepurpose of mitigating the adverse effects of interference or multipathfading propagation. Peripheral sink devices with sufficient batterycapacity may be able to receive all redundant packets as needed, thusachieving a much higher packet reliability. According to variousembodiments, devices with limited battery capacity can forego listeningto all necessary redundant packets, thus experiencing a slightly higherpacket error rate when compared with sink devices having higher batterycapacities. Devices such as these may have the capacity to receive somebut not all of the necessary redundant packets being sent from thesource device.

Sink devices will normally receive a packet on the first try from ahost, however assuming a raw packet error rate 10%, the sink device willonly have to listen to 10% of the retransmissions of the source device.This can work for both limited capacity batteries and higher capacitybatteries in certain circumstances. But if the packet error rateincreases to 50%, batteries with limited capacity may fail if they tryand listen to 50% more redundant packets. In various embodiments, thesink devices then have to trade off energy consumption with quality ofreception. The present subject matter uses this tradeoff between energyconsumption and reception quality.

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods formanaging power consumption in a wireless network. One aspect of thepresent subject matter includes a method for wireless communications ofisochronous data. A transmission of isochronous data is received usingan electronic device having a battery. The method determines how manyredundant transmissions can be received by the device within apredetermined time frame while limiting discharge of the battery, andadjusts reception of the redundant transmissions based on thedetermination. Thus, the present subject matter allows a wireless deviceconsuming isochronous data to trade off quality of reception with powerconsumption.

In various embodiments, the present subject matter employs a slidingwindow in time to determine how many retransmissions can be receivedwithin a time frame while preventing a battery from being overused tothe point of failure. Thus, the present system and method allows for agradual degradation in quality of service based on the energy beingconsumed from a power source such as a battery.

According to various embodiments, a communication device which monitorsits energy capacity can limit its ability to listen to redundantpackets. In one embodiment, the device limits the overall percentage ofredundant packets received to 10% over a sliding window of time (e.g.100 ms, in an embodiment) to prevent the energy starvation of thebattery and allow time for the battery to recover. In variousembodiments, the window can be adjusted both in percentage of allowableretransmission receptions and time interval depending on the capacityand chemistry of the battery. In various embodiments, these variablesare adjustable and programmable. In various embodiments, the variablesare set based on device type and/or battery type.

Various embodiments provide a method that trades off power consumptionwith improved effective packet error rate (PER). In one embodiment, thistrade off includes allowing a receiver to be given a number of tokens touse redundant receptions each time a primary reception is successful.These tokens are used by the receiver when redundant packets are neededfor successful reception. For example, a battery with limited capacitycan receive a single token on the successful reception of a packet atthe first time slot on which a new isochronous data packet is available.If on the next data frame the first time slot was not successfullyreceived, the receiver can use the token to receive a redundant packet.However, if the receiver does not receive a packet on the next firsttime slot, it will not be able to wake up and receive the packet on asecond time slot, since no tokens remain. Other embodiments in which thereceiver is allowed to miss redundant packets for the purpose of tradingoff data integrity for power consumption are possible without departingfrom the scope of the present subject matter.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 300 for managing powerconsumption in a wireless network, according to various embodiments ofthe present subject matter. The method starts at 302 and initiates atoken count to a programmable maximum number at 304. At 306, thereceiver wakes up on a primary time slot. If a packet is successfullyreceived at 308, the token count is reset to the maximum number at 310and the receiver sleeps until the primary slot at 312 when it wakes upat 306. If the packet is not successful received at 308, the token countis checked to see if greater than zero at 314, and if not the receiversleeps until the primary slot at 312. If the token count is greater thanzero at 314, the token count is decremented at 316 and the receiverwakes up for a redundant packet at 318, before returning to step 306.

In various embodiments using a hearing assistance device, batteryvoltage level (Vbat) in the device can be used as part of the decisioncriteria for determining when to reduce redundant packet reception. Infurther embodiments, Coulomb counting can be used as part of thedecision criteria for determining when to reduce redundant packetreception. In various embodiments, both Vbat level and Coulomb countingcan be used. Other battery characteristics that can be used for thispurpose include, but are not limited to, battery run time and dischargerate. These battery characteristics provide a packet reduction strategythat is independent of battery size.

In one embodiment, streaming of wireless communications can be disabledif the PER exceeds a threshold over a sliding time window. Besidesmanaging power, benefits include mitigating interference when multipleusers are co-located. This effectively increases the number of usersthat can use the wireless system for hearing assistance devices. Variousembodiments of the present subject matter provide feedback to the userto discontinue wireless use if the wireless link is being stressedbeyond its designed limit, such as when a cell phone is placed in apants pocket. In various embodiments, consecutive missed packets can beused as a metric to throttle performance. In further embodiments, peakcurrent can be used, such that higher peak current drains are possibleif the battery permitted a recovery time window, thus minimizing theneed for larger bypass capacitors.

The present subject matter provides for a communication device that cantrade off power consumption with quality of service. In one embodiment,the present subject matter produces high quality wireless digital audioat the output of a hearing aid while lowering the power consumption of abattery used in a hearing aid.

FIG. 1 illustrates an interface between two communication devices,according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. Invarious embodiments, the depicted wireless interface between a firstcommunication device 100 and a second communication device 110 includesradio frequency communications. Other wireless communication types canbe used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Invarious embodiments, the communication devices use multiple wirelesscommunication types and protocols. In one embodiment, the first andsecond communication devices are of the same type. In anotherembodiment, the communication devices are of different types. In variousembodiments, at least one of the communication devices includes ahearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. In one embodiment, thefirst communication device 100 includes a host device such as an audioor video streaming device, and the second communication device 110includes a hearing assistance device. More than two communicationdevices can be used without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a communication device of FIG. 1,according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. In thedepicted embodiment, communication device 210 receives a digital signalusing communication port 220 from a source, such as a communicationdevice 100. The signal is processed by a digital signal processor 230and can be transmitted via transceiver 240 using antenna 250. In oneembodiment, the digital signal is wireless. In one embodiment, thedigital signal is wired. The digital signal may be transceivedbidirectionally, transmitted unidirectionally or receivedunidirectionally by communication port 220. In various embodiments, theprocessor 230 is configured to execute instructions to determine howmany retransmissions can be received within a time frame whilepreventing a device battery 260 from being overused to the point offailure.

The drawing shows an antenna 250 which is shared for transmit andreceive in one embodiment. Various embodiments may incorporate separatereceive and transmit sections and antennas without departing from thescope of the present subject matter. Furthermore, the antennas can belocated on a substrate of the device 210 in various embodiments. Inother embodiments, the antenna may be external to the device 210.Various types of antennas, including omnidirectional and directionalantennas may be used. Various types of batteries 260 can be used topower the electronics of the device, in various embodiments.

Various embodiments of the present subject matter support wirelesscommunications with a hearing assistance device. In various embodimentsthe wireless communications can include standard or nonstandardcommunications. Some examples of standard wireless communicationsinclude link protocols including, but not limited to, Bluetooth™, IEEE802.11(wireless LANs), 802.15 (WPANs), 802.16 (WiMAX), cellularprotocols including, but not limited to CDMA and GSM, ZigBee, andultra-wideband (UWB) technologies. Such protocols support radiofrequency communications and some support infrared communications.Although the present system is demonstrated as a radio system, it ispossible that other forms of wireless communications can be used such asultrasonic, optical, and others. It is understood that the standardswhich can be used include past and present standards. It is alsocontemplated that future versions of these standards and new futurestandards may be employed without departing from the scope of thepresent subject matter.

The wireless communications support a connection from other devices.Such connections include, but are not limited to, one or more mono orstereo connections or digital connections having link protocolsincluding, but not limited to 802.3 (Ethernet), 802.4, 802.5, USB, ATM,Fibre-channel, Firewire or 1394, InfiniBand, or a native streaminginterface. In various embodiments, such connections include all past andpresent link protocols. It is also contemplated that future versions ofthese protocols and new future standards may be employed withoutdeparting from the scope of the present subject matter.

It is understood that variations in combinations of components may beemployed without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.Hearing assistance devices typically include an enclosure or housing, amicrophone, hearing assistance device electronics including processingelectronics, and a speaker or receiver. It is understood that in variousembodiments the microphone is optional. It is understood that in variousembodiments the receiver is optional. Antenna configurations may varyand may be included within an enclosure for the electronics or beexternal to an enclosure for the electronics. Thus, the examples setforth herein are intended to be demonstrative and not a limiting orexhaustive depiction of variations.

It is further understood that any hearing assistance device may be usedwithout departing from the scope and the devices depicted in the figuresare intended to demonstrate the subject matter, but not in a limited,exhaustive, or exclusive sense. It is also understood that the presentsubject matter can be used with a device designed for use in the rightear or the left ear or both ears of the user.

It is understood that the hearing aids referenced in this patentapplication include a processor. The processor may be a digital signalprocessor (DSP), microprocessor, microcontroller, other digital logic,or combinations thereof. The processing of signals referenced in thisapplication can be performed using the processor. Processing may be donein the digital domain, the analog domain, or combinations thereof.Processing may be done using subband processing techniques. Processingmay be done with frequency domain or time domain approaches. Someprocessing may involve both frequency and time domain aspects. Forbrevity, in some examples drawings may omit certain blocks that performfrequency synthesis, frequency analysis, analog-to-digital conversion,digital-to-analog conversion, amplification, audio decoding, and certaintypes of filtering and processing. In various embodiments the processoris adapted to perform instructions stored in memory which may or may notbe explicitly shown. Various types of memory may be used, includingvolatile and nonvolatile forms of memory. In various embodiments,instructions are performed by the processor to perform a number ofsignal processing tasks. In such embodiments, analog components are incommunication with the processor to perform signal tasks, such asmicrophone reception, or receiver sound embodiments (i.e., inapplications where such transducers are used). In various embodiments,different realizations of the block diagrams, circuits, and processesset forth herein may occur without departing from the scope of thepresent subject matter.

The present subject matter is demonstrated for hearing assistancedevices, including hearing aids, including but not limited to,behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC),receiver-in-canal (RIC), invisible-in-canal (IIC) orcompletely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aids. It is understood thatbehind-the-ear type hearing aids may include devices that residesubstantially behind the ear or over the ear. Such devices may includehearing aids with receivers associated with the electronics portion ofthe behind-the-ear device, or hearing aids of the type having receiversin the ear canal of the user, including but not limited toreceiver-in-canal (RIC) or receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) designs. Thepresent subject matter can also be used in hearing assistance devicesgenerally, such as cochlear implant type hearing devices and such asdeep insertion devices having a transducer, such as a receiver ormicrophone, whether custom fitted, standard, open fitted or occlusivefitted. It is understood that other hearing assistance devices notexpressly stated herein may be used in conjunction with the presentsubject matter.

This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of thepresent subject matter. It is to be understood that the abovedescription is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Thescope of the present subject matter should be determined with referenceto the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalentsto which such claims are entitled.

1. A method for wireless communications of isochronous data, comprising:receiving a transmission of isochronous data using an electronic devicehaving a battery; determining how many redundant transmissions can bereceived by the device within a predetermined time frame while limitingdischarge of the battery; and adjusting reception of the redundanttransmissions based on the determination.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein using an electronic device includes using a hearing aid.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein adjusting reception of the redundanttransmissions includes decreasing an amount of time that a radio circuitof the electronic device is operational.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the predetermined time frame is approximately 100 ms.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein adjusting reception of the redundanttransmissions includes limiting an overall percentage of redundantpackets received to 10% over the predetermined time frame.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein adjusting reception includes adjusting percentage ofallowable retransmission receptions and adjusting the predetermined timeinterval depending on capacity and chemistry of the battery.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining how many redundant transmissionscan be received by the device within a predetermined time frame includesusing tokens to permit reception of redundant transmissions.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining how many redundant transmissionscan be received by the device within a predetermined time frame includesusing battery voltage level.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining how many redundant transmissions can be received by thedevice within a predetermined time frame includes using Coulombcounting.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining how manyredundant transmissions can be received by the device within apredetermined time frame includes determining whether a packet errorrate (PER) exceeds a threshold over the predetermined time frame. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein determining how many redundanttransmissions can be received by the device within a predetermined timeframe includes determining consecutive missed packets over thepredetermined time frame.
 12. A wireless communication device,comprising: a battery, a communication port configured to receive awireless signal; and a processor connected to the battery and thecommunication port, the processor configured to execute instructions todetermine how many redundant transmissions can be received by the devicewithin a predetermined time frame while limiting discharge of thebattery, and adjust reception of the redundant transmissions based onthe determination.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the wirelesscommunication device includes a hearing aid.
 14. The device of claim 13,wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid. 15.The device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes abehind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid.
 16. The device of claim 13, whereinthe hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid.
 17. Thedevice of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal(RIC) hearing aid.
 18. The device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aidincludes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid.
 19. The device ofclaim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)hearing aid.